In sixth-grade French classes, students embark on an exciting journey of language acquisition, delving into a curriculum that focuses on practical communication skills. Through interactive activities and engaging lessons, they learn to articulate their names, ages, and interests with confidence. Expanding on this foundation, students explore their hobbies, honing their ability to express personal preferences and interests. The curriculum also encourages students to engage in conversations with peers, fostering an environment where they can compare and contrast their hobbies and interests with friends. Furthermore, students will be discussing favorite seasons and elaborate on appropriate attire. This will allow students to gain a holistic understanding of language within the context of their daily lives.

Within the seventh-grade French program, our curriculum is strategically crafted to nurture proficiency in both oral and written communication, enabling students to articulate themselves with assurance in the French language. Throughout the academic year, students immerse themselves in the complexities of narrating aspects of their school experiences, daily lives, and culinary habits, acquiring pragmatic language skills tailored for effective real-world communication. Be it through engaging discussions, crafting written dialogues, or participating in cultural projects, students are furnished with the essential resources necessary for their transformation into confident French speakers and adept writers.

In the eighth-grade French curriculum, we aim to cultivate proficiency in both spoken and written language, enabling students to express themselves with confidence in French. Over the course of the year, students immerse themselves in the nuances of describing their daily routines, their city, and narrating stories, acquiring practical language skills for effective communication in real-world scenarios. Whether engaged in lively conversations, participating in writing communication, or undertaking cultural projects, students are provided with the essential tools for their journey toward becoming assured French speakers and writers.

Latin 6

The primary goal for students is to develop reading and writing skills in Latin. Throughout the course, students explore the Latin language by reading short narratives, completing novice writing projects, and participating in various practice activities and games. In addition, they explore the histories of words and their roots in Latin and Greek. Integral to the study of language is reflection on the foundations of western civilization through explorations of Roman daily life, history, literature, geography, and mythology. In addition, students develop strategies for optimizing memory, launching clear written and oral expression, and establishing critical thinking skills. 

All Latin students belong to the California Junior Classical League and have the option to participate in local and statewide conventions.

Latin 7

During the second year course, students work to understand and use more complex grammar and more extensive vocabulary, especially in reading and writing. They now learn the other verb tenses, having primarily focused only on present tense in the previous year. They continue to ponder the foundations of western civilization through explorations of Roman daily life, history, literature, geography, and mythology. Students refine strategies for improving memory, polishing written and oral expression, and deepening critical thinking skills. 

All Latin students belong to the California Junior Classical League and have the option to participate in local and statewide conventions.

Latin 8

During the third year of study, students read complex Latin narratives proficiently and are able to express themselves with greater ease and length in written Latin. They explore and reflect on how the history of words, ideas, culture, and art has shaped our modern world, especially in relation to their travels in Washington D.C. Students concentrate on further strengthening and refining their learning skills in preparation for more advanced levels of language study, especially Latin, in upper school courses. Upon completion of this course, students are ready to enter upper school Latin at the second or third level. 

All Latin students belong to the California Junior Classical League and have the option to participate in local and statewide conventions.

The Middle School Mandarin Chinese program is an interactive course designed with a dual emphasis on communicative skills and cultural understanding. In the first year, students will learn to talk about themselves and the people in their lives. They will be able to carry out conversations in Mandarin to exchange basic information related to themselves. Discussion and exploration of Chinese culture are integrated into the curriculum and enriched by an annual field trip and hands-on activities such as dumpling making. While the emphasis is on developing overall proficiency, considerable attention is devoted to building a strong foundation in pronunciation and character writing to prepare students for success in higher level classes.

The second-year Mandarin course has a dual goal of developing students’ language skills in Mandarin and deepening their understanding of and appreciation for Chinese culture. Students will grow more confident in their speaking and writing, and learn to handle a wider variety of conversational situations, such as discussing hobbies and food preferences. While the focus is on overall communication skills and cultural competency, fundamentals of the Chinese language, including proper pronunciation and character writing, will continue to be emphasized. Lessons will be taught in a progressively immersive approach in order to increase learners’ exposure to authentic language input and prepare them for real life interactions with native speakers. Discussions of traditional values and practices, historical and current events, and contemporary Chinese culture will be integrated into all aspects of the class and deepened through experiential learning activities like a cooking project and an annual field trip.

Building on the foundation laid in the previous two years, students in their third year of Mandarin study will learn to communicate with more precision and complexity in a wider range of topics such as school life and fashion. Lessons will be taught in an immersive setting in order to maximize learners’ exposure to authentic language input and prepare them for real life interactions with native speakers. Cultural understanding and appreciation will continue to serve as the underpinning of this course, where discussions of historical and current events, traditional values and practices, and contemporary culture will be integrated into all aspects of the class, and deepened through a research project and an annual expedition to a local Chinese community.

In the sixth grade Spanish course, students will explore the fundamentals of the Spanish language and its associated cultures. The curriculum includes speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish, as well as engaging with the diverse traditions of Spanish-speaking countries. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the geography, customs, and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Throughout the program, students will acquire basic communication skills, facilitating the use of Spanish in various contexts both inside and outside the classroom. By the end of the academic year, students can expect to be proficient in introducing themselves, discussing topics such as family, friends, community, and school, and expressing preferences and interests.

In the seventh grade Spanish program, our curriculum is designed to foster both spoken and written proficiency, empowering students to confidently express themselves in Spanish. Throughout the year, students delve into the intricacies of describing their school life, home routines, and eating habits, providing them with practical language skills for real-world communication. Students explore the rich traditions of Spanish-speaking countries, gaining a deeper understanding of the diverse and fascinating cultures that shape the Spanish-speaking world. Whether it’s through dynamic conversations, writing exercises, or cultural projects, students are equipped with the tools they need on their journey to become confident Spanish speakers and writers.

In the eighth grade Spanish program, our curriculum is designed to foster both spoken and written proficiency, empowering students to confidently express themselves in Spanish. Throughout the year, students delve into the intricacies of describing their childhood, travel, and telling a story, providing them with practical language skills for real-world communication. Students explore the rich traditions of Spanish-speaking countries, gaining a deeper understanding of the diverse and fascinating cultures that shape the Spanish-speaking world. Whether it’s through dynamic conversations, writing exercises, or cultural projects, students are equipped with the tools they need on their journey to become confident Spanish speakers and writers.

Spanish for Spanish Speakers (formerly Heritage Spanish) is a course for students who have had significant exposure to the language and may already possess a high level of oral and listening proficiency.
Objectives include building upon the language knowledge that students bring to the classroom and advancing their proficiency in Spanish for multiple contexts. Special attention is given to building vocabulary, acquiring and effectively using learning strategies, and strengthening composition skills and reading comprehension in Spanish. Cultural projects and readings reinforce learners’ understanding of the diversity of Spanish-speaking communities and the multiple issues related to the Hispanic cultures in the USA.
The course is conducted entirely in Spanish and includes middle school students in all three grades of both native and non-native backgrounds. Oral participation is emphasized to further develop oral skills by regularly practicing presentational speaking tasks. Spanish for Spanish Speakers provides students with an array of opportunities to communicate effectively and accurately, including movie reviews, article reactions, book reports on short novels, and interviews with family members about their personal experiences and family traditions.

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Español para hispanohablantes (anteriormente llamada Heritage Spanish) es un curso para estudiantes que han tenido una exposición significativa al idioma y que ya pueden poseer un alto nivel de competencia oral y auditiva.
Los objetivos incluyen aprovechar el conocimiento del idioma que los estudiantes aportan al aula y mejorar su dominio del español en múltiples contextos. Se presta especial atención a la construcción de vocabulario, la adquisición y el uso efectivo de estrategias de aprendizaje y el fortalecimiento de las habilidades de composición y comprensión lectora en español. Los proyectos culturales y las lecturas refuerzan la comprensión de los estudiantes sobre la diversidad de las comunidades de habla hispana y las múltiples cuestiones relacionadas con las culturas hispanas en los Estados Unidos.
El curso se lleva a cabo completamente en español e incluye estudiantes de secundaria en los tres grados (6to., 7mo., y 8vo.), tanto de origen nativo como no nativo. Se enfatiza la participación oral para desarrollar aún más las habilidades orales mediante la práctica regular de tareas de presentación oral. Español para hispanohablantes brinda a los estudiantes una variedad de oportunidades para comunicarse de manera efectiva y precisa, incluidas reseñas de películas, reacciones a artículos e informes de libros sobre novelas cortas y entrevistas con miembros de la familia sobre sus experiencias personales y tradiciones familiares.